Lead Chemical Engineer - Scale-Up & Optimization

Placements24; Durban; Hybrid; ZAR 1,800,000 - 2,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work stipend

Comprehensive benefits package

Career development funding

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Lead Chemical Engineer for a fully remote role in South Africa. You will drive scale-up, optimize processes, and lead a team to move innovations from pilot to commercial production, while ensuring safety and cost-efficiency.

The work requires strong collaboration with R&D, engineering, and manufacturing teams. The role emphasizes proven leadership, extensive process design and simulation experience, HAZOP/LOPA knowledge, and the ability to communicate complex technical

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in chemical engineering with 10+ years in process development and scale-up.
• Proven ability to bridge lab-scale and commercial production safely and cost-effectively.
• Experience with risk assessments such as HAZOP and robust safety protocols.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and implementation of scale-up processes from pilot to commercial scale.
• Develop and validate process models and simulations to predict performance and scale-up challenges.
• Optimize manufacturing processes to improve yield, reduce energy use, and minimize environmental impact.
• Oversee HAZOP studies and other risk assessments for new/modified processes.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and manufacturing for seamless technology transfer.
• Troubleshoot complex scale-up issues and provide timely solutions.
• Create detailed process documentation including P&IDs, PFDs, and mass/energy balances.
• Stay updated with emerging technologies and best practices in chemical engineering.
• Contribute to strategic planning and execution of process development projects.

Skills

Process scale-up

Process simulation

Leadership

Project management

Remote communication

Troubleshooting

Education

Master's or PhD in Chemical Engineering

Tools

Aspen Plus

Chemcad

LOPA

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a groundbreaking leader in advanced materials and sustainable chemical processes, is looking for an experienced Lead Chemical Engineer to spearhead their scale-up and optimization initiatives. This is a fully remote position, offering you the opportunity to work from anywhere within South Africa while driving critical projects for a globally recognized company. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between laboratory-scale discoveries and full-scale industrial production, ensuring that our innovative chemical solutions are brought to market efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively. This role demands a visionary engineer with extensive experience in process design, simulation, and troubleshooting, particularly in scaling up complex chemical operations. If you are a self-starter who excels in a remote work environment and is passionate about transforming novel chemical technologies into commercial realities, this is the perfect opportunity for you. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive remote workforce.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and implementation of processes for scaling up novel chemical products from pilot to commercial scale.
• Develop and validate process models and simulations to predict performance and identify potential scale-up challenges.
• Optimize existing manufacturing processes to improve yield, reduce energy consumption, and minimize environmental impact.
• Oversee HAZOP studies and other risk assessments for new and modified processes, ensuring robust safety protocols.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to a team of chemical engineers and technicians.
• Collaborate with R&D, engineering, and manufacturing departments to ensure seamless technology transfer.
• Troubleshoot complex process issues encountered during scale-up and production, providing timely and effective solutions.
• Develop detailed process documentation, including P&IDs, PFDs, mass and energy balances, and operational manuals.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry best practices in chemical engineering and process scale-up.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and execution of process development projects.

Requirements

• Master's or Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in chemical process development, scale-up, and optimization within the chemical industry.
• Demonstrated success in scaling up complex chemical processes from bench/pilot to commercial scale.
• Expertise in process simulation software (e.g., Aspen Plus, Chemcad) and statistical analysis tools.
• Strong understanding of reaction engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat/mass transfer.
• In-depth knowledge of process safety principles, including HAZOP analysis and LOPA.
• Exceptional leadership, project management, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to effectively communicate technical information to diverse audiences in a remote setting.
• Experience with a variety of chemical manufacturing technologies and equipment.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to work autonomously in a remote environment.

Benefits

This fully remote Lead Chemical Engineer role comes with a highly attractive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including top-tier medical, dental, and vision coverage, a generous retirement fund contribution, and annual performance bonuses. We believe in work-life balance and offer ample paid time off, coupled with a flexible remote work schedule. Professional development is highly encouraged, with funding available for conferences, further education, and certifications. Our client is dedicated to fostering a culture of innovation and provides access to cutting-edge research and development resources. Join a pioneering company making significant strides in the chemical sector. This position in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal (while remote, requires proximity to this region for occasional site visits if necessary, though the role is primarily remote) offers significant career growth potential. We provide a remote work stipend for home office expenses.